Raydot
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Can't Sync Palm Vx Via iSync or PalmConnect...
Hi,
There seem to be a lot of posts to forums all over the Web with this problem, but not a lot of solutions.
I recently gave my girlfriend my old Palm Vx because she wanted to use it for a project she was working on. The problem is, we don't seem to be able to connect it to any of the computers we own using any kind of cable.
We have a PowerBook G4, an iBook G4, and a very new Gateway Laptop. Best case scenario is we get it working on one of the two Macs. The Vx came with a serial cable and a cradle that also connects via serial. We have the official "Palm for Macintosh" USB -> serial plug, and a 3rd party plug, Dynex. I think we also tried a Belkan plug at one point but I'm not sure.
The problem is we plug everything in, set all of the settings hit sync and...nada, the device starts to connect and then times out with a "chirp" every time. I'd be sure it's the cables too if not for the fact that I've tried so many different varities of them. So maybe it's the device? Maybe, but it worked fine the last time I used it. No, I have not tried connecting directly to a serial port to test, but I will. But what leaves me suspicious that it might be something else is the aforementioned "lot of posts to forums all over the Web with this problem," so I don't think I'm alone.
I wonder if it's an OS X issue with "drivers" for these cables. I know there aren't drivers involved, per se, but aren't there certain USB settings via vendor, etc, that can be set as preferences that might be causing me trouble? I don't know, I've done a lot of work trying to figure this out, let's see what EE can do for me.
There seem to be a lot of posts to forums all over the Web with this problem, but not a lot of solutions.
I recently gave my girlfriend my old Palm Vx because she wanted to use it for a project she was working on. The problem is, we don't seem to be able to connect it to any of the computers we own using any kind of cable.
We have a PowerBook G4, an iBook G4, and a very new Gateway Laptop. Best case scenario is we get it working on one of the two Macs. The Vx came with a serial cable and a cradle that also connects via serial. We have the official "Palm for Macintosh" USB -> serial plug, and a 3rd party plug, Dynex. I think we also tried a Belkan plug at one point but I'm not sure.
The problem is we plug everything in, set all of the settings hit sync and...nada, the device starts to connect and then times out with a "chirp" every time. I'd be sure it's the cables too if not for the fact that I've tried so many different varities of them. So maybe it's the device? Maybe, but it worked fine the last time I used it. No, I have not tried connecting directly to a serial port to test, but I will. But what leaves me suspicious that it might be something else is the aforementioned "lot of posts to forums all over the Web with this problem," so I don't think I'm alone.
I wonder if it's an OS X issue with "drivers" for these cables. I know there aren't drivers involved, per se, but aren't there certain USB settings via vendor, etc, that can be set as preferences that might be causing me trouble? I don't know, I've done a lot of work trying to figure this out, let's see what EE can do for me.
ASKER
There is not an available serial port on the Gateway. The HotSync manager has been running every time I've tried to connect. I don't know about "paperweight," some people seem to have connected so there must be some way to do it.
"The Missing Sync" seems like it just beefs up the sync features set, I'd like to try to solve the problems without it, first.
"The Missing Sync" seems like it just beefs up the sync features set, I'd like to try to solve the problems without it, first.
do you another machine available that has both a serial port & usb connector?
ASKER
Ah...more progress. I DID get it working with the PC by 1) installing the drivers from the Dynex USB/Serial cable I bought on the suspicion that maybe the Palm version of the cable wasn't working and 2) setting the Palm Desktop to check the LOCAL SERIAL (and not USB) connection.
Ok, so we're halfway there, the cables work. Now any ideas how to get this working on a Mac? It's going to be a config thing, I'm sure of it. Is it possible to enter a similar setting on the Mac version of the Palm Desktop?
Ok, so we're halfway there, the cables work. Now any ideas how to get this working on a Mac? It's going to be a config thing, I'm sure of it. Is it possible to enter a similar setting on the Mac version of the Palm Desktop?
can you reinstall hotsync on the MAC?
ASKER
I can. Why do you think that will help? Are there prefs files I also need to be trashing?
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ASKER
I think the problem lies in the cable or the settings, acutally. Given how fast this all worked once I installed the proper driver for the PC convinces me of that. I have this Palm "Serial to USB for Macintosh" cable that might just be on the fritz. I'm not sure what deleting PD will do, given that I am starting from scratch already, but I'll give that a shot.
ASKER
Actually, the more I think about it, this didn't work on 3 different machines, so I'm not so sure deleting PD is going to solve the problem. I'll keep that on the pile of things to try though.
perhaps getting another spanking brand new PDA is looming around the corner?
ASKER
You'd have to ask my girlfriend that! We're actually not PDA types, she just needs this old Palm for one specific project, we don't need to go out and spend $400 for a new one (if this works for her she might, but we're not there yet).
On that note: I deleted my Palm Desktop prefs file and now it works on the PowerBook G4 but not the iBook. So it's not the cable, it's the settings. The PowerBook is running 10.4.5, the iBook is running 10.3.9.
Any more suggestions? I dunno if updating the iBook to Tiger is in the cards if that's not specifically going to solve the problem, but I'm open...
On that note: I deleted my Palm Desktop prefs file and now it works on the PowerBook G4 but not the iBook. So it's not the cable, it's the settings. The PowerBook is running 10.4.5, the iBook is running 10.3.9.
Any more suggestions? I dunno if updating the iBook to Tiger is in the cards if that's not specifically going to solve the problem, but I'm open...
do the same for the Ibook. (delete the prefs)
ASKER
Come now irwinkpks, surely that occurred to me. It doesn't work.
stating the obvious will guarantee clarity..so if I do so, it is in no way meant to be condenscending or similar but to confirm that this action was taken.
Here is the latest hotsync for the Vx & OS 10.x. Do you have this?
http://www.palm.com/us/support/macintosh/macdesk421.html
In addition, here is a library of FAQ (frequently asked questions) I found on the Palm site for troubleshooting the install
http://kb.palmone.com/SRVS/CGI-BIN/WEBCGI.EXE?New,Kb=PalmSupportKB,ts=Palm_External2001,Problem=obj(23957)
Here is the latest hotsync for the Vx & OS 10.x. Do you have this?
http://www.palm.com/us/support/macintosh/macdesk421.html
In addition, here is a library of FAQ (frequently asked questions) I found on the Palm site for troubleshooting the install
http://kb.palmone.com/SRVS/CGI-BIN/WEBCGI.EXE?New,Kb=PalmSupportKB,ts=Palm_External2001,Problem=obj(23957)
ASKER
My personality suffers greatly from internet transmission. Guess I should have given a little ;) No offense intended.
I've been all over the palm site, again and again and again. It leads back to the same 3 documents, none of them solves the problem.
I've been all over the palm site, again and again and again. It leads back to the same 3 documents, none of them solves the problem.
Rather than just delete ther preferences, try creating a new user account - thus you'll be trying from a completely clean set of user prefs.
I've also had success in the past with old palm software - disabling the load on startup options (delete it from the login pref pane) - and manually starting the software after the system has happily booted.
I've also had success in the past with old palm software - disabling the load on startup options (delete it from the login pref pane) - and manually starting the software after the system has happily booted.
ASKER
Oh wait, I never got back to tell how I solved the problem? I actually don't remember! Something about realizing that the source had to be the cable because...and then I bypassed the Palm desktop system and...I don't remember. Oh wait, yeah, I trashed all of the prefs, everything off my system and started all over again, it synched on the PowerBook, and then worked on the XP system too. Still doesn't work on the iBook but it doesn't matter. Well anyway, I thought I had closed this question, sorry I didn't, thanks to all for helping!
Cool.. thank you!
Make sure HOTSYNC is running (bottom right in system tray)
If so, this is the most basic setup..if it doesn't work, then Palm Vx is now a paperweight.